Approaches for diagnostics of nox sensor(s)

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is disclosed for diagnostics of NOx sensor(s) of a vehicle. The method comprises—while the electric motor(s) are not driven by the ICE—controlling (by processing circuitry of a computer system) the ICE to operate according to a predefined operational mode, wherein the predefined operational mode has a correspondingly predefined expected, non-zero, NOx sensor response, controlling (by the processing circuitry) the NOx sensor(s) to perform measurements associated with the predefined operational mode of the ICE, and acquiring (by the processing circuitry) corresponding measurement results from the NOx sensor(s) for comparison to the predefined expected NOx sensor response.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer system configured to perform diagnostics of NOx sensor(s) of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises one or more electric motor(s) configured to provide propulsion, an internal combustion engine—ICE—configured to provide energy via an electric generator to directly drive the electric motor(s), and one or more other energy source(s) configured to provide energy to drive the electric motor(s), the computer system comprising processing circuitry configured to, while the vehicle is in motion and the electric motor(s) are used for propulsion while not driven by the ICE:
 control the ICE to operate according to a predefined operational mode, wherein the predefined operational mode has a correspondingly predefined expected, non-zero, NOx sensor response; 
 control the NOx sensor(s) to perform measurements associated with the predefined operational mode of the ICE; and 
 acquire corresponding measurement results from the NOx sensor(s) for comparison to the predefined expected NOx sensor response. 
 
     
     
         2 . A computer-implemented method performing diagnostics of NOx sensor(s) of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises one or more electric motor(s) configured to provide propulsion, an internal combustion engine—ICE—configured to provide energy via an electric generator to directly drive the electric motor(s), and one or more other energy source(s) configured to provide energy to drive the electric motor(s), the method comprising, while vehicle is in motion and the electric motor(s) are used for propulsion while not driven by the ICE:
 controlling, by processing circuitry of a computer system, the ICE to operate according to a predefined operational mode, wherein the predefined operational mode has a correspondingly predefined expected, non-zero, NOx sensor response; 
 controlling, by the processing circuitry, the NOx sensor(s) to perform measurements associated with the predefined operational mode of the ICE; and 
 acquiring, by the processing circuitry, corresponding measurement results from the NOx sensor(s) for comparison to the predefined expected NOx sensor response. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the predefined operational mode is defined by a steady-state engine operation point and/or wherein the predefined expected NOx sensor response is defined by one or more of: a peak amplitude, a duration, a pulse shape, and a total emission. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein controlling the ICE to operate according to the predefined operational mode comprises causing, by the processing circuitry, single ignition operation of the ICE. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein controlling the ICE to operate according to the predefined operational mode comprises causing, by the processing circuitry, a corresponding specific level of fuel injection. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein controlling the ICE to operate according to the predefined operational mode comprises causing, by the processing circuitry, a corresponding torque to be applied to a crank shaft of the ICE. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein causing the torque to be applied to the crank shaft of the ICE comprises controlling, by the processing circuitry, an electric generator of the vehicle to operate in reverse to generate the torque. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein controlling the ICE to operate according to the predefined operational mode comprises causing, by the processing circuitry, the ICE to run at a corresponding engine speed. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising calibrating, by the processing circuitry, the NOx sensor(s) based on the comparison of the measurement results to the predefined expected NOx sensor response. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising issuing, by the processing circuitry, a NOx sensor malfunction alert responsive to calibration failure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising triggering, by the processing circuitry, the predefined operational mode to be applied—while the electric motor(s) are not driven by the ICE—responsive to one or more of:
 a specific time interval having passed since previously performed measurements associated with the predefined operational mode of the ICE; and 
 an indication of NOx sensor malfunction. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising—before controlling the NOx sensor(s) to perform the measurements—causing, by the processing circuitry, the NOx sensor(s) to be brought to a specified temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein causing the NOx sensor(s) to be brought to the specified temperature comprises—before controlling the ICE to operate according to the predefined operational mode—controlling, by the processing circuitry, the ICE to pre-heat the NOx sensor(s). 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle comprising NOx sensor(s), one or more electric motor(s) for propulsion, an internal combustion engine—ICE—configured to provide energy for driving the electric motor(s), one or more other energy source(s) for driving the electric motor(s), and the computer system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A computer program product comprising program code for performing, when executed by the processing circuitry, the method of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, which when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform the method of  claim 2 .